The Best Christmas Ever

Last year at our church, we were inspired to rethink Christmas and the way we spent money during the holidays. Instead of buying, we gave - instead of that sweater, a smile (Smile Train); instead of that candle, a safe haven (Love 146) and so on. What a wonderful transformation in the way we all celebrated the best gift of all - Jesus.

This small story was written for the children in our church. I hope you enjoy it as we enter this season of giving.

I.
“What’s the matter?”
Jackson’s dad lovingly put his hand on his son’s head and leaned down. “Jackson, you’ve been quiet ever since you came out of church. Not your usual style, my son.”
“Yeah, you’re always jabbering about something” said James, Jackson’s sometimes sarcastic older brother. ‘Dad, Pastor Steve called on me, and I knew the answer’ or ‘Mom, guess what, guess what? I found a frog on the way home from school’ or ‘Guess what, guess what …”
“That’s enough” interrupted Jackson’s mother, Mary. “You can see that he’s not in the mood for your teasing today.” Mary took her young son by the hand and walked ahead of the others.
“So, not much to say today?” Jackson walked slowly, shuffling his feet. “Well, sometimes it’s good to be quiet.” They walked toward the church’s parking lot in silence.
Jackson stopped and looked up at his mom. “I’ve been thinking about stuff.”
“Well, that’s a really good thing to do” said Mary as she held back a loving smile.

“Pastor Steve talked about this orphanage in Brazil that the church supports today an’ we saw pictures of some of the kids.” Jackson fumbled with the picture he had drawn in Sunday school. “There was a picture of a little boy, and Pastor Steve said he was 10. Mom, that’s how old I am. He had on an old, ripped tee shirt and didn’t even have any shoes on. He was really skinny and looked really sad. Then Pastor showed us another picture of a boy who was wearing a clean shirt and had on a new pair of sneakers. He was even holding a book and smiling. Can you believe it was the same kid? He looked so, well, so different.”
“I’m glad that you care about that little boy” said Mary. “But you know the church helps out the orphanage.”
“I know, but sometimes I just wish I was older so I could go there and help.”
“Well, who knows? Maybe you’ll grow up and become a teacher and go to Brazil and teach in that very orphanage.”
“Do you really think so, Mom” said Jackson as his face brightened.
“Yes, I really think so.”
He turned around and saw his brother and sisters standing by his grandparents. “Hey, guys, guess what, guess what? I’m gonna be a teacher and go to Brazil when I grow up.” Jackson ran up to his sisters and started to run around them, grabbing their hands and laughing as all three of them swung around and landed on the grass.
Mary walked over to her husband. “What happened?” asked John.
“Our young son is growing up” smiled Mary.
Jackson’s sisters piled up on their brother, tickling him into hysterics. James stood by, shaking his head. “He’s baaack.”

II.

Mary stood in yet another long line at the checkout. Tired shoppers crowded around her, pushing her in waves of frustration and fatigue.
Mary fumbled with her purchases, rearranging them in her aching arms. Where’s that list? What did James want again? I must be tired. He’s done nothing but pester me for two months now. Mary finally found the crumpled list under the half-eaten candy bar she grabbed for lunch.
“I hate this” sighed Mary. “And it’s only just beginning.”
Memories of Thanksgiving dinner were already fading. Family gathered around the table, laughing and enjoying each other’s company, all giving God thanks for all He had done. Now all Mary could think about was that Jackson wanted that remote control monster truck – the one that all the stores were out of.

III.
John stared out the side window of his car. Stuck in traffic – again. A little boy started back at him from the car in the lane next to him. Their eyes met. John started to smile at the young angelic-looking boy, remembering what Jackson was like at that age. Just as his faith in the goodness of mankind was beginning to be restored, the young boy stuck out his tongue, made a nasty face and mouthed, “You’re stupid.”
“That’s just great” sighed John. “Just great.”
John turned his attention to the colorful Christmas decorations that hung from the street lights. Red and green baskets filled with evergreen branches all connected with bright white lights. A slight calm began to come over him. He closed his eyes and prayed. “Lord, I can’t believe it’s only three weeks before Christmas. I’ve been so caught up in end of the year meetings and shopping for the family that I can’t remember the last time I thought about what Christmas really means. What happened to …” HONK! HONK! The impatient horn shook John from his peace and jolted him back to “reality.” “Merry Christmas to you, too” John said sarcastically. “I hope you get coal in your stocking.”

IV.
Jackson was still bothered. He couldn’t shake the picture of that little boy from his mind. Surrounded by the latest toys and games, books and clothes, he sat cross-legged on his bed. “It’s not fair, you know.” Jackson flopped back and covered himself with his favorite blanket. “How come I have so much and that little boy has so little?” Jackson looked at his ceiling, covered in glow-in-the-dark stars. “Jesus, things down here must make you pretty sad sometimes. Those little kids at the orphanage must be sad, too.” Jackson turned on his side and hugged his pillow. Could someone like me really do something to help?

V.
Grandma Millie stirred a pot of her famous vegetable soup. “Mmmn, smells just about right. Joseph, could you pass me the pepper? Joseph?” Millie looked up from the stove and scanned the kitchen. “Where is that man. He was just here a minute ago.”
Joseph sat in the study with his Bible in his lap. His eyes were closed and his head was bowed.
“Joseph?” Millie walked into the den and found her husband of forty-three years deep in thought. “Joseph, what’s the matter?”
“I’m not sure” he sighed. “I was just sitting in the kitchen watching you cook, you know, the way I like to, and I started thinking about what Jackson said today.”
“What Jackson said? Honey, Jackson says an awful lot.” They looked at each other and smiled.
“Yes, yes he does. I’m talking about his concern over the children at the orphanage. He cares so much for such a little guy.” Joseph’s eyes started to tear.
Millie sat down next to him and put her arm around his shoulder.
“I know, I know. It’s such a shame that there is so much need in the world. But we do what we can.”
“I was just sitting here praying and started thinking about Christmas and all of the gifts we’ll be buying and receiving. Just doesn’t seem right to keep getting more. I mean, I’m not saying we shouldn’t buy gifts for the family, but maybe we could …”
“Maybe we could also do something for someone else” interrupted Millie “someone we don’t even know.” Millie stood up and started to pace. Joseph laughed to himself. He could always tell when his dear wife was feeling inspired.
“Why can’t we give a Christmas gift to the orphanage, from the whole family, and get everyone involved.”
“Do you think they’ll want to take some of the money they were going to spend on each other and really want to give it away?” asked Joseph. “I don’t think anyone should do it unless they do it for God and the children.”
“Well, all we can do is ask” said Millie.” And even if the others don’t feel as inspired as we do…” Joseph smiled warmly at his wife. “… we’ll still do it. I bet if you mentioned it to Jackson, he’d want to do something, too.”

VI.
Next Sunday after church, the family gathered in Grandma Millie’s kitchen. The whole family was there, including Millie’s brother, Howard, and his granddaughter, Gracie.
“That was some fine dinner, Millie” said Howard as he pushed his chair back from the table.
“Yeah, Grandma,” echoed Jackson, “you’re the best cook ever.” Words of agreement mingled with the still savory smell of pot roast and pie.
“Why thank you. Anyone want more coffee?”
“I’ll get it, honey” said Joseph, “why don’t you sit down and relax. Say, why don’t you share your thoughts about Christmas with the family?” Millie gave her dear husband a look and said, “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
“What’s up, Mom?” asked Mary. “Is everything OK?”
“Oh, everything’s fine. Your father and I have been talking about Christmas

and …”
“Christmas,” interrupted James, “boy, I can’t wait to get that camera I’ve wanted.”
“James, don’t interrupt your grandmother,” scolded his father.
“Sorry Grandma.”
“Now what were you saying, Mom?”
“Jackson’s concern over the children at the orphanage has caused us to begin to question how we think about Christmas.”
“My concern?” said Jackson as he looked up from his dessert.
“Yes, honey, your concern. We’ve decided to cut back on our spending for each other as well as the family and ask God to show us how to bless those in need.”
The room grew silent. James fidgeted in his chair, knowing that this was not the time to ask whether his gifts were part of the cut backs. Howard looked at his teenaged granddaughter looking down at her plate and wondered what might be going through her mind.

All of a sudden, Jackson blurted out, “That’s a great idea! I want to do it, too! I was just talking to God about this last night. I told him I’ve been saving part of my allowance for three months now to buy Christmas presents and how great it would be if I could buy something for that boy in the orphanage. Let’s do it!”
Jackson got up out of his chair and went over to his brother. “James, I know you really like it when you have a lot of presents to open on Christmas morning, but wouldn’t it be great if someone who didn’t have any presents could have one from you?”
James looked at his excited brother’s face and the loving faces of his family. Even his little sisters seemed enthusiastic. “I guess it would be kind of cool. Anyway, it might make me feel like Santa Claus.”
Jackson clapped his hands and went over to his cousin, Gracie, “How about you?” He sat down next to her and put his young arm on her shoulder. “I know it’s been kind of lonely since your dad left, and I know it feels real good to get presents, but it would feel good, too, to help someone out, wouldn’t it?”
Gracie looked into her innocent cousin’s eyes and smiled for the first time that day. “I think it would feel really good. I’m in.”
The rest of the afternoon was spent talking about who they wanted to help, what they would do, and how they would do it. Millie caught Joseph’s attention from across the room. Their eyes met, and they both knew God was in their midst, and they couldn’t be prouder of their little family.

VII.
Christmas morning was finally here! The family had eaten their traditional pancake and sausage breakfast and were waiting for their relatives to arrive to open presents.
The doorbell rang and Jackson shouted, “I’ll get it!” He ran down the stairs and swung open the door. “Grandma, Grandpa, Merry Christmas!” He hugged and kissed them and pulled them in the door. “Hurry, hurry, we have to open the present!”
“We’re coming. Remember, we don’t move as fast as we used to” joked Joseph.
Right behind them were Howard and Gracie.
“Merry Christmas, we’re so glad you could join us” said John as he ushered them into the living room. “Let me take your coats.”
Presents were placed beneath the tree and the celebration began. “Let’s start with that one over there” said Jackson as he pointed to the mantle. A brightly wrapped box sat on the floor beneath the watchful eye of a simple manger.
“Jackson, why don’t you do the honors” said Grandma Millie. “After all, this really was your idea.”
Jackson rushed over to the box and set it down in the middle of the room. He carefully undid the bow and began to tear the paper.
“Jackson, wait,” said his dad. “I really feel we should stop and thank God for showing us how to give, just like he gave to us.”
Everyone quickly agreed. “Dad, why don’t you lead us in prayer,” said Mary as she kneeled down on the floor next to Jackson.
Joseph stood up by his chair, bowed his head and closed his eyes. “Lord, thank you so much for showing us how to show your love to others. You have given us the most incredible gift, your son, Jesus. Help us to continue asking you how to give all throughout the year. Amen.”
“Amen!” shouted Jackson. He ripped the rest of the paper off, and opened the box. Even though they all knew what was in it, they raised their voices in approval as each picture was lifted out: pictures of books, clothes, and food had all been cut out of magazines or drawn by each member of the family and placed in the box the day before –all representing the gifts their donation to the orphanage made possible. Each picture had a string attached to it, and as Jackson held it up, Gracie went over and hung it on the tree.
As each one took a picture out of the box, the joyous mood in the room increased.

“That’s all the pictures. Don’t they look great?” said Jackson proudly.
Mary stood up and went over to her son. “I think there’s one more.” Mary handed her son an envelope. “This is from Pastor Steve. When I told him what we were doing, he wanted you to have this.”
Jackson slowly opened the card and a picture fell out.
“Mom! This is the picture of that little boy from the orphanage! The one where he’s got a new shirt and books and shoes!” Jackson held the picture up from the small string attached to the corner.
“I think this one should go in a special place of honor near the star at the top of the tree” said John as he lifted his son up so he could reach the top.
“This has got to be the best Christmas ever,” said Jackson as he began handing out presents. Even James had to agree.